Yellowstone Tourist Killed After Being Gored By Bison

Officials at Yellowstone National Park have confirmed that a female tourist has died after being gored by a bison that managed to toss her ten feet in the air.

Bison Gores Woman

NBC News reported that the woman, whose name has not been identified, was 25 years old and was visiting the park from Grove City, Ohio, which is a suburb of Columbus. The woman reportedly approached the female bison near Old Faithful geyser when the animal ended up near a boardwalk at Black Sand Basin. 

Though park rules mandate that tourists must stay at least 25 feet away from bison, the woman continued approaching the animal until she was within ten feet of it. The bison then made its move, impaling the woman before it “tossed” her ten feet in the air.

“Consequently, the bison gored the woman and tossed her 10 feet into the air,” park officials told CNN. 

Related: Man Mauled By Tiger At Popular Florida Attraction

Two other individuals were reportedly close to the buffalo at the time of this incident as well, and it is not clear if they received any injuries as well. Find out more about the goring in the video below.

Woman Passes Away

The woman was rushed to a hospital in Idaho with puncture wounds as well as other injuries. She ended up passing away, though it has not been revealed where exactly she died. 

“This is the first reported incident in 2022 of a visitor threatening a bison (getting too close to the animal) and the bison responding to the threat by goring the individual,” officials said in a statement.

“Bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal,” they added. “They are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans.”

Park officials have since doubled down in warning visitors to stay at least 25 yards away from bison, elk, bighorn sheep and moose. They have also instructed tourists to stay at least 100 yards from bears and wolves. 

Related: These Ukrainian Zookeepers Stayed Behind To Protect Their Animals

‘Incident Remains Under Investigation’

“The incident remains under investigation, and there is no additional information to share,” the park service told The Washington Post. “Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park are wild and can be dangerous when approached.”

The National Wildlife Federation states that bison are the largest mammals in North America, and on top of being able to run 35mph, they can jump six feet vertically “and can quickly pivot to combat predators.” 

While this incident is incredibly tragic, it also will hopefully serve as a reminder to others that approaching one of these animals means taking your own life in your hands. We will say a prayer for the woman’s family and friends during this difficult time.